NCAA tournament
So before we get to the brackets and the contests, Buzz Williams, the Texas A&M coach, stole the show last night after his Aggies beat Alcorn State in the NIT.
Williams read an opening statement in his postgame news conference that took more than seven minutes.
He asked a slew of questions about the selection committee, which determined that A&M did not do enough to get a bid to the NCAA tournament. He said on the front end of the statement that he would not answer questions and made printed copies of his research into the committee.
But he filled every torpedo tube and fired every round, including saying the snub caused him to “Lose all respect and faith in the system and all those in it.”
And he was far from done, later saying that ‘personal bias’ was the reason the Aggies were left out and that the “Process is flawed and there is way more to the process than what the public is made aware of. Until there is complete transparency and accountability the system will remain broken.
Amen, Buzz.
And that’s the thing. Transparency all but eliminates this.
If Johnny D. Committee Member thinks the Aggies’ eight-game losing streak in January and February was the reason, fine. Say it on camera and let it be heard.
That argument has merit, especially since South Carolina and Missouri – two teams that had such disappointing seasons they fired likable coaches – were among those eight that toppled Texas A&M.
But the rebuttal question for Johnny D. Committee Member of course would be Doug’s favorite head-to-head argument since, you know, A&M beat Notre Dame this season, and Notre Dame will be in the NCAA tournament tonight.
It’s even more puzzling in this day and age – where everyone’s first go-to when things break bad against them is to scream bias – that the NCAA lurks even deeper in the shadows of the cocoon of secrecy.
There simply is too much at stake across all metrics.
And for those who think the NCAA is shrouded in that secrecy to protect the power conferences and the power programs within those conferences, well, normally I’d agree with that.
But in terms of money, alumni and fan following, there are not many more powerful than Texas A&M, which may not have the blue basketball blood of Kentucky, UNC or Kansas, but it has more good-old-fashioned greenbacks than just about any athletic program in the country. And worse yet, the NCAA has no answer for Williams’ claims of personal bias from someone or ones on the committee against him or his program. Because only the people in that room were there for the conversation, and until that cap of secrecy is lifted, then Williams is right, the system is assuredly flawed.
Brackets BAY-BEE
Side note: Gotta admit, I missed Dickie V’s energy in the studio shows this season. Not his commentary per se, but certainly his spirit and, as DeNiro said as Capone in “The Untouchables” before going Babe Ruth on one of his henchmen, “Enthusiasms.”
Where were we? Ah yes, the NCAA tournament. It’s a glorious tournament, even Bad mood Buzz called it the greatest tournament in the world.
(Side question on a which way Wednesday: Which tournament is greater, the NCAA tournament or the World Cup? Discuss.)
As for the tournament, if you are in a pool, great. If you are looking for a pool – pool or a pond, pond would be good for you – here’s the TFP’s bracket partner with some pretty cool gift cards available for winning various rounds as well as the whole kit and caboodle.
And we will have our traditional “First 1 out; Last double-digit seed standing” contest. The rules are simple: Either in the contest section or in my email at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com, send me the No. 1 seed you think will lose first and the double-digit seed (10 or higher), you think will be the last one in the draw. And yes, scheduling matters.
As for me, like a lot of you who have sent in entries, I think Baylor is the first 1 to wave bye-bye.
As for my double-digit pick, I’m gonna wait until tomorrow’s 5-at-10, which is before the noon deadline, mind you, because if Rutgers wins tonight – and I think they will since they are 10-5-1 against the spread with nine outright wins as an underdog this year – against Notre Dame, I think the Knights could advance a round or three.
Far from elementary
The DeShaun Watson dealings have picked up speed.
He wants to meet with teams. The Texans want teams to agree to a deal before meeting with the embattled QB who has been accused of almost two dozen sexual assaults. Watson’s name has even been circled with the Atlanta Falcons, which seems odd to me for a number of reasons. And it would seem downright ludicrous if the trade package for Watson was anything close to what Clint Stoerner posted on Twitter:
“Atlanta is a real player & I’m startin the convo with #8 overall 2022, Both 2’s in 2022, 1st rounder in 2023, TE Kyle Pitts, C AJ Terrell I love the combo of picks & young studs with yrs left on a rookie deal. Side note, Matt Ryan to Indy/Tenn!!”
Uh, sorry, Clint that’s your biggest fumble ever. (Yep, I went there.)
Beyond the destination and even the transaction that would be required to land one of the game’s five-best QB talents, my biggest intrigue in this entire deal is how the fan base of Watson’s next team will react.
Because, as we’ve heard a bunch with a certain first baseman in a certain Southern city with a very popular baseball team, if sports are truly a business, should you care about Watson’s past?
Discuss.
This and that
– No getting around it, this Freddie Freeman thing is going to affect my Braves fandom. Truly. And for those repeating it’s a business decision, what would you say if Ronald Acuña started saying, “I’m not gonna steal bases anymore, don’t wanna hurt my legs. It’s a business decision.” Or if Mike Soroka said, “You know, I think I need eight days rest between starts. Business decision, you know?” I get it. Matt Olson is younger and came cheaper, and he was very good last year. (He also was Joey Gallo and sub-.200 in 2020 too.) But he’s no Freddie. On the field or in the clubhouse.
– So on the campaign trail Herschel Walker unloaded this gem on Tuesday: “At one time, science said man came from apes, did it not? If that is true, why are there still apes? Think about it.” Well, Herschel, that’s just bananas. (Wait for it.)
– And it looks like the Capital One people are pulling out all the stops for the NCAA tournament commercials. Yes, Chuck and Samuel L., and Spike are back. And they tote along ol’ Mr. Burnt Toast himself Jim Nantz. But they mix in Jennifer Garner, Sue and Larry Bird (no relation) and Magic as well.
– So Colorado is wanting to pay people for grass. No, not that kind Spy. Get your head out of the pot. (See what I did there?) Anywell, Colorado is proposing legislation that will pay citizens greenbacks to do away with green grass because the dry Colorado air means for half the year, half the water used in the state is on lawn care. Seriously.
– Hoo-ray. Like seriously. And this should have been a bigger deal, although I messed around and was quite busy Tuesday so maybe I just missed it. But the U.S. Senate approved legislation Tuesday to make daylight saving time permanent. Man, this should have been done years ago. Don’t mess this one up House. And man it speaks volumes that this is one thing that truly is garnering bipartisan support.
– So Clay Travis and Tom Arnold got into a Twitter spat. Which seems so perfect there’s not really a need for any more commentary.
– And from the files of ‘headlines so bizarre they have to be true,’ here’s the skinny on Mike Tyson’s cannabis brand (but wait there’s more) making weed gummies (wait, still more) that are shaped like little ears. Again, nothing can be added to that to make it better.
– You know the rules. Here’s Paschall with some college football. And here’s Hargis with some prep hoops. War Tyner.
Today’s questions
Which way Wednesday starts this way:
Which NFL team will deal for DeShaun Watson?
Which would be your reaction if your favorite NFL team landed Watson, “That’s it, I’m out” or “Yes, let’s win baby” or other?
Which college basketball Blue Blood will have the shortest NCAA tournament stay?
Which Buzz is better, Williams or McAllister? (“Buzz, your girlfriend, Woof.)As for today, March 16, let’s review.
Jerry Lewis would have been 96 today.
Rushmore of celebrities linked with charities. Go, and remember the contests and the mailbag.